Pivoting stowable work table for parking space in garage

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method are provided for utilizing a space in a garage. A table is mounted on a wall in the garage and is deployed in an orientation in which the table extends outwardly from the wall into the space in the garage. The table includes adjustable hinges that can be moved into position over studs in the garage wall when the table is being mounted and includes spring loaded legs that assist in moving the table from the deployed position to a stored position folded snugly against the wall.

This invention pertains to a method and apparatus for utilizing space in a building structure for two separate functions.

More particularly, this invention pertains to an apparatus and method for utilizing the space in a garage both for parking and as a work area.

When a work project is undertaken in a garage, tools and tables often are acquired and utilized during the project. Once the work project is completed, or partially completed, the tables, tools, and other articles are removed so that a vehicle can again be parked in the garage. Moving tables and tools is time consuming and typically is more difficult for women because they lack the upper body strength of men. The garage ordinarily can not be used be parking while a work project is underway, and vise-versa.

Accordingly, it would be highly desirable to provide an improved method and apparatus to facilitate the dual use of the garage in a residence or other building structure.

Therefore, it is a principal object of the invention to provide an improved method and apparatus for utilizing space in a garage.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved method and apparatus for deploying, using, and storing a work table in a garage.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved method and apparatus for mounting a work table on the wall of a garage or other room in a building.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a work table that can be readily deployed and stored by a woman of average height and strength.

These and other, further and more specific objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a work table constructed in accordance with the invention and deployed in a garage;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view illustrating the work table of FIG. 1 in the stored position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the mode of operation of a hinge on the work table of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side partial section view of a leg of the table of FIG. 1 illustrating additional construction details thereof;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the table of FIG. 2 illustrating the mode of operation of the handle thereof;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view illustrating the handle and stowing mechanism of the table of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a side partial section view of a hinge on the table of FIG. 1 illustrating the mode of operation thereof; and,

FIG. 8 is a side partial section view of the hinge of FIG. 7 further illustrating the mode of operation thereof.

Briefly, in accordance with my invention, I provide an improved method for utilizing a space in a garage. The garage includes a wall and a floor. The method comprises the step of providing a stowable pivoting work table having at least two operative positions, a first deployed position extending outwardly from the wall into the space in the garage and a second stored upright position adjacent the wall of the garage. The table includes a frame having first and second ends, the frame being generally horizontally oriented when the table is in the first deployed position and being generally vertically oriented when the table is in the second stored position; at least one hinge slidably mounted on the frame for lateral movement therealong; a bracket attached to the hinge to secure the table to the wall of the garage; a first telescoping leg having a lower end and having an upper end attached to the first end of the frame and including a spring mounted on the leg such that when the table is in the deployed position the spring is compressed and generates a force acting to displace the frame upwardly to the second stored position; and, a second telescoping leg having a lower end and having an upper end attached to the second end of the frame. The method also comprises the step of mounting the table on the wall by laterally sliding the bracket on the frame to a desired position; attaching the bracket to the wall; attaching the lower end of the first leg to one of a pair comprising the wall and the floor; and, attaching the lower end of the second leg to one of a pair comprising the wall and the floor. The method also comprises the steps of pivotally moving the table to the deployed position in the space in the garage; working on the table; pivotally moving the table to the stored position; and, parking a vehicle in the garage to occupy the space in the garage.

In another embodiment of the invention, I provide an improved stowable pivoting work table having at least two operative positions, a first deployed position extending outwardly from a wall into a space extending laterally from the wall, the wall having a base; and, a second stored upright position pivoted upwardly from the first deployed position to a position adjacent the wall. The table includes a frame having first and second ends, the frame being generally horizontally oriented when the table is in the first deployed position and being generally vertically oriented when the table is in the second stored position; at least one hinge slidably mounted on the frame for lateral movement therealong; a bracket attached to the hinge to secure the table to the wall of the garage; a first telescoping leg having a lower end attached to the base of the wall and having an upper end attached to the first end of the frame and including a spring mounted on said leg such that when the table is in the deployed position the spring is compressed and generates a force acting to displace the frame upwardly to the second stored position; a second telescoping leg having a lower end attached to the base of the wall and having an upper end attached to the second end of the frame.

In a further embodiment of the invention, I provide an improved stowable pivoting work table having at least two operative positions, a first deployed position extending outwardly from a wall into a space extending laterally from the wall, the wall having a base; and, a second stored upright position pivoted upwardly from the first deployed position to a position adjacent the wall. The table includes a frame having first and second sides, the frame being generally horizontally oriented when the table is in the first deployed position and being generally vertically oriented when the table is in the second stored position; a work surface attached to the frame and having a width; at least one hinge slidably mounted on the frame for lateral movement therealong; a first leg attached to the hinge to secure the table to the wall of the garage; and, a second leg. The second leg has a first end; and, a second end attached to the hinge and to the frame to pivot the frame and work surface when the table moves from the first deployed position to the second stored position. The frame is attached to the second leg such that the distance between the hinge and the frame is at least equal to the width of the work surface. The table also includes a first telescoping leg having a lower end attached to the base of the wall and having an upper end attached to the first side of the frame; and, a second telescoping leg having a lower end attached to the base of the wall and having an upper end attached to the second side of the frame such that when the table is in the second stored position the frame nests between the first and second telescoping legs.

Turning now to the drawings, which depict the presently preferred embodiments of the invention for the purpose of illustrating the practice thereof and not by way of limitation of the scope of the invention, and in which like reference characters refer to corresponding elements throughout the several views, FIG. 1 illustrates a work table constructed in accordance with the invention, mounted on a wall 11 in a garage, and in a deployed position extending laterally into a space 39 in the garage. The work table is generally indicated by reference character 10. Table 10 includes work surface 13 mounted on a frame 14 consisting of sections of interconnected one inch square thin wall tubing 15, 16, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 43, 45. In FIG. 1, frame 14 includes a right hand end, or side, and includes a left hand end, or side.

The upper end of section 21 of telescoping leg 17 is pivotally connected to the right hand end of frame 14. The upper end of section 27 of telescoping leg 18 is pivotally connected to the left hand end of frame 14. The upper ends of sections 21, 27 can, if desired, also pivotally connected to work surface 13, in which case the portions of surface 13 to which the upper ends of sections 21, 27 are connected are herein considered to be part of frame 14.

The lower end of section 20 of leg 17 is attached to rod 22. Rod 22 is pivotally received by sleeve 23. Sleeve 23 is mounted on base board 19 at the base of wall 11. Sleeve 23 can also, if desired, be mounted on the floor 12 adjacent base board 19, in which case the portion of floor 12 to which sleeve 23 is attached is herein considered to be part of the base of wall 11.

The lower end of section 26 of leg 18 is attached to rod 24. Rod 24 is pivotally receive by sleeve 25. Sleeve 25 is mounted on base board 19 at the base of wall 11. Sleeve 25 can also be mounted on a portion of floor 12 adjacent base board 19, in which case the portion of floor 12 to which sleeve 25 is attached is herein considered to be part of the base of wall 11.

As is illustrated in FIG. 4, the lower end 20 of leg 17 is hollow and houses spring 39 or other resilient elastic means. Spring 39 is seated on base 41. When table 10 is in the deployed position of FIG. 1, the weight of frame 14 and work surface 13 presses the lower end of section 21 against spring 39 and compresses spring 39. This causes spring 39 to generate a force that acts in the direction of arrow D. The magnitude of the force acting in the direction of arrow D is not sufficient by itself to displace upwardly frame 14 and work surface 13. When, however, the frame 14 and surface 13 are manually upwardly displaced in the direction of arrow C to move table 10 to the stowed position of FIG. 2, the upward force generated by spring 39 (and preferably also by a comparable spring in leg 18) makes the frame 14 and surface 13 feel lighter and requires an individual to exert less energy to move table 10 to the stowed position. This is important when a woman, or perhaps a young person or older person having less strength than normal, is moving table 10 from the deployed to the stowed position.

Moving frame 14 from the deployed to the stowed position causes a portion of section 21 to slide out of hollow section 20, in part because spring 39 pushes upwardly against the lower end of section 20 and in part because moving frame 14 from the deployed to the stowed position pulls section 21 out of section 20.

The construction and operation of leg 18 is presently substantially identical to that of leg 17, although the pivot rods 24 at the bottom and top of leg 18 extend in a direction opposite that of the pivot rods 22, 40 at the bottom and top, respectively, of leg 17.

Triangular mounting brackets 28, 29 are pivotally connected to hinges 32 and 33, respectively. Screws 30, 31 extending through holes in the brackets 28, 29 secure the brackets to the wall 11. As is indicated by arrows A and B, each bracket 28, 29 can be laterally slidably moved on frame 14 to a variety of different positions. It is possible that support surface 13 can include a portion on which brackets 28, 29 are mounted such that each bracket 28, 29 can slide laterally along surface 13 in the directions indicated by arrows A and B. In such a case, the portion of surface 13 that slidably receives brackets 28, 29 is herein considered to be part of the frame 14.

FIG. 3 depicts hollow orthogonal sleeve 34. Sleeve 34 is mounted on tubing 38 for sliding lateral movement along tubing 38 in the directions indicated by arrows A and B. Bracket 29 is pivotally connected to hinge 33 and moves along tubing 38 simultaneously with sleeve 34. The presently preferred construction for securing pivotally hinge 33 to sleeve 34 is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8.

In FIG. 7, the upper end of a bracket 54 is pivotally secured to hinge 33. Bracket 54 is welded, bolted, or otherwise secured to sleeve 34. The spacing or distance X from hinge 33 to the top of sleeve 34 in FIG. 7 is equal to or greater than the width, indicated by arrows W, of work surface 13. When the magnitude of X is equal to or greater than width W, surface 13 normally can pivot about hinge 33 in the direction of arrow H from the deployed position of FIG. 7 to the stored position of FIG. 8 without surface 13 contacting hinge 33 or otherwise interfering with the movement from the deployed position to the stored position.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the operation of the L-shaped handle 38 on table 10. Handle 38 includes panel member 46 normal and attached to panel member 47. Aperture 55 is formed through panel member 46. Panel member 47 is welded, bolted, or otherwise attached to hollow orthogonal sleeve 44. Sleeve 44 is mounted on tubing 16 to be slidably laterally displaced along tubing 16 in the directions indicated by arrows F and G. The striker operatively associated with handle 38 includes panel 48 secured to wall 11 with screws 49 and 50 that extend through openings formed in panel 48 and into wall 11. Cylindrical member 36 is welded or otherwise secured to panel 48. The centerline or longitudinal axis of member 36 is perpendicular to panel 48. When table 10 is in the stored position of FIG. 2, member 36 extends through opening 55 of handle 38 in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. A lock pin 37 is inserted through opening 53 in member 36 to secure handle 38 and table 10 in the stored position of FIG. 2. A wire 51 or other material extends between pin 37 and handle 38. Screw 52 secures one end of wire 51 in place on handle 38. Table 10 is constructed so that panel 48 can be positioned on wall 11 at a selected height above floor 12. The selected height can be any desired height above floor 12. It is presently preferred that panel 48 be positioned a height above the floor that results in member 36 being from five to six feet above the floor so that a woman of average height can, after moving table 10 to the stored position, readily reach member 36 to insert pin 37 in opening 53.

In use, table 10 is provided. Any vehicle parked near wall 11 is removed from the garage. Locations are identified on wall 11 for securing brackets 28 and 29 to the wall. Such locations usually are positioned over a two-by-four or structural member that is behind the sheet rock or paneling that forms the face of the wall. Brackets 28 and 29 are each slid laterally along tubing 48 in the direction of arrow A and/or B until each bracket is at the desired location on wall 11. Screws 29, 30 are inserted through holes formed through the brackets and are turned through the wall facing into the two-by-fours or other structural members to secure brackets 28 and 29 in place on the wall 11. Sleeves 23 and 24 are placed on rods 22 and 24, respectively, and are mounted on baseboard 19 at the base of wall 11. The table 10 is moved to the stored position and a desired location for handle 38 is identified, which location is usually “over” a two-by-four or other structural member other than the sheet rock or paneling that typically is the wall covering attached to the two-by-four framework in the wall 11. Bracket 44 is laterally slid along tubing 16 to the desired location over the two-by-four. The bracket 44 can, if desired, be secured in position on tubing 16 with a set screw (not shown) or any other desired fastening means. Screws 49, 50 are turned through panel 48 into the wall to mount panel 48 on wall 11 at the desired location on wall 11, typically at a height above the floor that positions member 36 five to six feet above the floor 12. This completes installation of table 10 on the wall 11 of the garage, or on the wall of some other room or location in or on a building structure.

Table 10 is moved to the deployed position of FIG. 1. Work surface 13 is used to complete or work on a desired project. After the work project, or a portion thereof, is completed, any articles on surface 13 are removed, handle 38 is grasped, table 10 is manually lifted in the direction of arrow C to the storage position. When table 10 is lifted upwardly in the direction of arrow C, spring(s) 39 generate, through at least a portion of the distance moved by table 10 from the deployed to the stored position, a force that functions to help push sections 21, 27 and frame 14 and work surface 13 upwardly in the direction of arrow C. In the storage position, member 36 extends through opening 55 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 6. Lock pin 37 is inserted through opening 53 to secure table 10 in the stored position.

Once table 10 is in the stored position and no longer extends into space 39 in the garage, a vehicle 38 is pulled into the garage. The vehicle 38 occupies some of the space 39 that was occupied by table 10 when table 10 was in the deployed position.

The materials utilized to construct frame 14, legs 17 and 18, and other components of table 10 can vary as desired, as can the shape and dimension and configuration of such materials.

Having described my invention in such terms as to enable those of skill in the art to make and practice it, and having described the presently preferred embodiments thereof, I Claim: 

1. A method for utilizing a sapce in a garage, the garage including a wall and a floor, the method comprising the steps of (a) providing a stowable pivoting work table having at least two operative positions, a first deployed position extending outwardly from the wall into the space in the garage and a second stored upright position adjacent the wall of the garage, said table including (i) a frame having first and second ends, said frame being generally horizontally oriented when said table is in said first deployed position and being generally vertically oriented when said table is in said second stored position, (ii) at least one hinge slidably mounted on said frame for lateral movement therealong, (iii) a bracket attached to said hinge to secure said table to the wall of the garage, (iv) a first telescoping leg having a lower end and having an upper end attached to said first end of said frame and including a spring mounted on said leg such that when said table is in said deployed position said spring is compressed and generates a force acting to displace said frame upwardly to said second stored position, (iv) a second telescoping leg having a lower end and having an upper end attached to said second end of said frame; (b) mounting said table on the wall by (i) laterally sliding said bracket on said frame to a desired position, (ii) attaching said bracket to the wall, (iii) attaching said lower end of said first leg to one of a pair comprising the wall and the floor, and (iv) attaching said lower end of said second leg to one of a pair comprising the wall and the floor; (c) pivotally moving said table to said deployed position in the space in the garage; (d) working on said table; (e) pivotally moving said table to said stored position; and, (f) parking a vehicle in the garage to occupy at least partially the space in the garage.
 2. A stowable pivoting work table having at least two operative positions, (a) a first deployed position extending outwardly from a wall into a space extending laterally from the wall, the wall having a base; and, (b) a second stored upright position pivoted upwardly from said first deployed position to a position adjacent the, said table including (c) a frame having first and second ends, said frame being generally horizontally oriented when said table is in said first deployed position and being generally vertically oriented when said table is in said second stored position; (d) at least one hinge slidably mounted on said frame for lateral movement therealong; (e) a bracket attached to said hinge to secure said table to the wall of the garage; (f) a first telescoping leg having a lower end attached to said base of the wall and having an upper end attached to said first end of said frame and including a spring mounted on said leg such that when said table is in said deployed position said spring is compressed and generates a force acting to displace said frame upwardly to said second stored position; and, (g) a second telescoping leg having a lower end attached to said base of the wall and having an upper end attached to said second end of said frame.
 3. A stowable pivoting work table having at least two operative positions, (a) a first deployed position extending outwardly from a wall into a space extending outwardly from the wall, the wall having a base; and, (b) a second stored upright position pivoted upwardly from said first deployed position to a position adjacent the wall, said table including (c) a frame having first and second sides, said frame being generally horizontally oriented when said table is in said first deployed position and being generally vertically oriented when said table is in said second stored position, (d) a work surface attached to said frame and having a width; (e) at least one hinge slidably mounted on said frame for lateral movement therealong; (f) a first leg attached to said hinge to secure said table to the wall of the garage; (g) a second leg having (i) a first end, (ii) a second end attached to said hinge and to said frame to pivot said frame and work surface when said table moves from said first deployed position to said second stored position,  said frame being attached to said second leg such that the distance between said hinge and said frame is at least equal to the width of said work surface; (h) a first telescoping leg having a lower end attached to said base of the wall and having an upper end attached to said first side of said frame; and, (i) a second telescoping leg having a lower end attached to said base of the wall and having an upper end attached to said second side of said frame such that when said table is in said second stored position said frame nests between said first and second telescoping legs. 